The East Carolina University College of Nursing inducted nine members to its Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at Rock Springs Center March 7. The event, which also recognized the 2014 distinguished alumna, honored outstanding contributors to nursing in the areas of education, administration, research and practice.

The Hall of Fame has raised nearly $80,000 for a merit-based student scholarship fund since its inception in 2011. Thanks to this program, the college will award its fourth Hall of Fame Scholarship this fall. This year’s recipient, senior nursing student Katherine Waters, was recognized at the event.

“The Hall of Fame is a way to acknowledge the accomplishments of exemplary leaders in the field of nursing,” said Dr. Sylvia Brown, dean of the College of Nursing. “It’s fitting that we honor them by supporting the education of some of our brightest students.”

The 2014 inductees join more than 60 Hall of Fame members representing eight states. Each new member receives a flame-shaped award that resembles the lamp illustrated on the college’s nursing pin. The lamp and its associated flame symbolize service and a vibrant life.

This year’s Hall of Fame class included the following:

Barbara Adams

Michelle Brooks

Dr. Robin Webb Corbett

Dr. Cheryl Duke

Carol Hallisey

Dr. Marie Pokorny

Helene Reilly

Linda Siegrist

Joanne Suggs

On a night set aside for celebrating influential nurse leaders, the college also recognized the recipient of its 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award. This year’s awardee is Dr. Debra Wallace, a Hall of Fame member from the class of 2011 and an alumna of the college’s master of science in nursing program. Wallace is the Daphine Doster Mastroianni Distinguished Professor and associate dean for research at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing. She also is director of the UNC Greensboro Center for the Health of Vulnerable Populations.